Program Overview
Heriot-Watt University's MSc Business Analytics program equips students with the quantitative research skills and data-driven decision-making abilities needed in today's business environment. Delivered online with a flexible schedule, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering business analytics, big data, project management, and financial decision-making. Graduates are prepared for high-demand roles in business intelligence, data science, and consulting, with the strategic and analytical skills to drive data-informed decision-making and unlock growth opportunities.
Program Outline
Overview:
- Designed to equip students with the quantitative research skills needed for the data-driven business environment.
- Addresses the talent needs of the future.
- Focuses on decision-making skills for transformational change.
- Utilizes a data-driven, evidence-based approach to management decision-making in complex business environments.
Objectives:
- Provide students with the skills to analyze data, interpret its meaning, and apply it to real-world business problems.
- Equip students with the ability to make data-driven decisions and drive business success.
- Develop students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Description:
- Online program delivered through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
- Flexible pace and schedule, allowing students to study anytime, anywhere.
- Interactive learning environment with diverse course materials, readings, notes, and multimedia.
- Expert academic support and guidance through videos, webinars, articles, journals, assessments, and discussion boards.
- Final online assessments conducted in the comfort of your own space.
- Three assessment periods per year offering flexibility in scheduling.
Outline:
Course Content:
- Six core courses: Business Analytics, Network Analysis, Big Data Analytics for Business, Delivering Successful Projects, Business Consultancy, Financial Decision Making.
- One optional course: Performance Management for Business or Strategic Change Management.
- Reflective portfolio.
Course Schedule:
- Each course takes approximately 200 hours to complete.
- Full MSc program can be completed in 2 years but can be finished faster or over a longer period.
- Students can choose their own pace and schedule.
- New courses begin every month.
Individual Modules:
- Business Analytics: Introduces the fundamentals of business analytics, including data mining, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling.
- Network Analysis: Explores the use of network analysis to understand and optimize business processes.
- Big Data Analytics for Business: Provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and analyze big data.
- Delivering Successful Projects: Covers the project management skills needed to deliver successful business projects.
- Financial Decision Making: Teaches students how to make sound financial decisions based on data analysis.
- Business Analytics Reflective Portfolio: Allows students to reflect on their learning and apply their skills to real-world business problems.
Assessment:
- All courses assessed by a single summative online assessment.
- Assessments include case studies, scenario analysis, and essays.
- Three assessment periods per year aligned with major university examination diets.
- Reflective portfolio assessed formatively and summatively.
- Pass mark for all courses is 50%.
- Resits allowed for failed courses.
- Award with Distinction awarded for an average mark of 70% or more with no course failures.
Teaching:
- High-quality learning and teaching delivered by experienced faculty and researchers.
- Flexible, self-study-based learning model.
- Comprehensive online learning materials and guidance.
- Opportunity to engage with a global multicultural learning community.
Careers:
- Prepares graduates for a variety of roles in the field of business analytics, including:
- Business intelligence analyst
- Data scientist
- Project manager
- Business consultant
- Equips graduates with the strategic and analytical abilities to drive data-informed decision-making, optimize business processes, and unlock new growth opportunities.
- Graduates are in high demand by organizations worldwide.
Other:
- Students can study on a course-by-course basis or sign up for multiple courses at once.
- Standard fee per course is £1,248, full program fee is £9,984.
- Emerging Economies fee per course is £848, full program fee is £6,784.
- Upskilling Scotland Funding available for eligible professionals.
- 20% fee reduction for students purchasing all courses upfront.
- Alumni discount available for Heriot-Watt graduates.
- Performance-based admissions process available.
- Exemptions may be granted based on prior academic qualifications.
- Online events hosted throughout the year to connect with faculty and students.
- Graduates automatically join the Watt Club alumni association with 147k members worldwide.
Tuition fees Standard fee Per course: £1,248 Full programme: £9,984 Emerging Economies fee Per course: £848 Full programme: £6,784 All course fees include one assessment attempt. Each attempt after this point will be charged at £160.
Entry Requirements
EU Home Students:
- Typically, a recognized first or second-class honours degree, or equivalent professional qualification, is required.
- However, performance-based admissions are also offered, allowing entry even without meeting these conventional requirements.
- More details on performance-based entry can be found in the downloadable prospectus.
International Overseas Students (Outside the EU):
- The entry requirements are identical to those for EU Home Students.
- Additionally, international students whose native language is not English and who haven't had previous university education in English need to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Language Proficiency Requirements
- Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of their English language proficiency.
- This includes those who haven't had university-level education in English previously.
Acceptable Evidence:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with no individual band lower than 6.0.
- Other equivalent English language qualifications might also be accepted.
Exemptions:
- Students who have completed a degree taught and assessed in the English language at a recognized university may be exempt from providing evidence of their English language proficiency.
- This exemption applies to degrees completed within two years of the application date.
Reward for Previous Study
- Edinburgh Business School acknowledges that some students entering their online MSc programs might have completed relevant prior academic studies.
- Such prior studies can potentially lead to exemptions from certain EBS courses.
- Exemptions are considered based on qualifications obtained at the master's/postgraduate level or professional qualifications.
- Qualifications considered for exemption must have been acquired within the last five years.
- Qualifications older than five years may be considered if accompanied by strong evidence that the applicant has kept abreast of current developments in the subject area.
- Exemptions are not awarded for courses used towards another degree (in the same discipline) at the master's level, regardless of the awarding institution.